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Abstract

Methimazole, a highly effective antithyroid agent introduced by Stanley and Astwood1 in 1949, is being used with increasing frequency in the treatment of hyperthyroidism. Toxic reactions have occurred in approximately 5% of over 200 reported cases.2, 3, 4, 5 These include fever, skin rashes and bone marrow depression. Jaundice has been observed during the course of methimazole therapy. There have been few instances with adequate documentation of the histologic changes responsible for the alterations in hepatic function. Specht and Boehme6 called attention to an obstruction-type jaundice associated with a fatal agranulocytic reaction which occurred one month after the initiation of